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Everyday creative adventuresMon, 19 Nov 2018 13:30:05 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8Wool Allergy or Sensitivity? Consider these Alternative Yarnshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DabblesBabbles/~3/nRJmJyWgcC0/
https://dabblesandbabbles.com/wool-allergy-or-sensitivity-consider-these-alternative-yarns/#respondMon, 19 Nov 2018 13:30:05 +0000http://dabblesandbabbles.com/?p=10119Lately, I’ve been hearing from a lot of you that you have wool sensitivities. So I decided to do a little research on the subject to try and find out more about wool allergies in the craft community. Apparently, about 20% of the population struggle with sensitivities and allergies to wool fibers. And while it’s […] Read more...

Lately, I’ve been hearing from a lot of you that you have wool sensitivities. So I decided to do a little research on the subject to try and find out more about wool allergies in the craft community. Apparently, about 20% of the population struggle with sensitivities and allergies to wool fibers. And while it’s rare to have a pure wool allergy, it is common to experience discomfort or a rash when coming into contact with the fiber. I found out that a lot of people are allergic to lanolin (which is a naturally occurring oil in wool-bearing animals) or animal dander within wool. So, if you’re unsure whether you’re allergic to lanolin or not, it’s worth doing a patch test. It could open up a world of yarn possibilities if you know this information. But for those of you who suffer from wool and everything that comes with it, I’ve compiled a list of some wool alternatives. Some of my favorite yarns in various weights, so you’re covered for any project you work on!

Cotton and Cotton Blends

Cotton is a natural, lightweight fiber that makes breathable garments. There is a trick for getting denser fabrics when crocheting or knitting with this loose yarn. You can size down your needles/hook for a firmer, denser look. It’s also machine washable and water absorbent. Perfect for projects that will be worn a lot and need easy care.

Acrylic and Acrylic Blends

Acrylic is similar to cotton in how easy it is to clean and care for. It’s also one of the most affordable options on the market. Acrylic is a good option for some of your warmer weather projects as it can be insulating. And because it’s so easy to dye, you can get this yarn in any colors you want!

Silk and Silk Blends

Silk is known for being soft and luxurious but it has a lot of other amazing properties too. The fiber has a natural wick which keeps you cool in summer and warm in the winter. It’s also a really strong and durable fiber. Silk is amazing because it is hypoallergenic so it’s perfect if you have allergies to other fibers. I wouldn’t suggest using this fiber if you’re making a piece that requires a lot of stretching though, as silk is inelastic.

Linen

Linen fibers are extracted from the Flax plant and are known for being incredibly durable. It’s hypoallergenic and it’s breathable just like cotton. Linen is also a more sustainable fiber than some of the others on the market, and it softens over time. Linen is great for your more structural projects.

Bamboo and Bamboo Blends

Bamboo is another hypoallergenic yarn option. It’s incredibly eco friendly making it one of the best fibers to use. It’s also antibacterial and sweat absorbent, making it good to wear in the summer months or on vacation. And it’s soft and insulating so you can wear it in the winter months as well. This fiber is truly a catch all and even has natural UV protection. It’s by far one of my favorites and the perfect replacement for wool.

Alpaca and Alpaca Blends

If you aren’t allergic to all animal fibers, consider trying Alpaca yarn. Alpaca fibers are really insulating and even warmer than wool. It’s actually one of the most durable fibers out there and is flame resistant. This is a great yarn choice for generational pieces like holiday stockings since it can hold up to the test of time. This won’t work for you if you’re allergic to animal dander however.

Some other amazing options, which you’ll often find in blends, include rayon, polyester, soy and cashmere.

Rayon

Rayon can add a luster and softness to yarn. It’s really comfortable and durable when dry. And it oftentimes is a very affordable fiber. Rayon can be challenging to clean, as its integrity is compromised when wet, so keep this in mind when using it.

Polyester

Polyester is another affordable option that is often found blended with other fibers. Unlike rayon, polyester is resistant to shrinking and its fibers are strong. It does not wrinkle easily either. It also has moisture wicking properties making it good for athletic wear and cold weather.

Soy

Soy can be a really good alternative to silk, and it’s more affordable. It has a similar smooth texture and it drapes beautifully. Soy fabric is insulating and warm, perfect for winter knits and crochets. Soy is also super easy to care for and strong so it will last you awhile.

Cashmere

Cashmere can be a good alternative to those who aren’t allergic to animal dander or all animal fibers. It’s much softer and smoother than sheep’s wool, and it is adaptable to temperatures. It will keep you cool in Summer and warm in Winter. The fiber also has natural stretch and dyes beautifully. If you’re unsure if this fiber will bother you, try it in a blend. The smaller content might be safe and it could open up this soft fiber possibility to you.

I’d love to hear what your favorite alternative fiber is to use. They all serve different purposes and are amazing in their own unique ways. An allergy shouldn’t prevent you from living your best *crafter* life.

Lily Cowl Crochet Pattern Hi all! I hope you’re enjoying this chilly weather as much as I am. If you’ve kept up with my latest post, you know all about my FREE yarn box from MakerU. Every subscription to MakerU receives a free box of over $100 worth of yarn and I was lucky enough […] Read more...

Lily Cowl Crochet Pattern

Hi all! I hope you’re enjoying this chilly weather as much as I am. If you’ve kept up with my latest post, you know all about my FREE yarn box from MakerU. Every subscription to MakerU receives a free box of over $100 worth of yarn and I was lucky enough to snag one of my own. I’ve been so inspired by all of these unique and colorful yarns I received. And I’ve been stitching up projects like a mad woman. I’ve even been experimenting with some new stitches, such as the shell stitch in my new Simple Shells Light Wrap. It’s perfect for a walk outdoors or to take on vacation. Well, I wanted to share my latest creation with you too. I tested out the intricate Lily of the Valley stitch in my Lily Cowl. This stitch is so easy. It’s only a series of double crochets in a one-row repeat. But it looks complex and impressive.

And the detail of the stitching looks beautiful with the Karaoke yarn from my box. It only took about 440 yards of yarn, so it’s a quick and easy pattern to stitch up. I initially liked this yarn because my daughter’s favorite color is purple, and I knew she’d love whatever I made. And I had 4 skeins of it, so it was perfect! The yarn has a subtle gradient, which adds a rich dimension to the cowl. The Karaoke is a soy silk/wool blend. It’s soft and great for felting too. And it comes in a ton of vibrant shades. It would make a great gift this holiday season, or keep one for yourself. It’s perfect for chilly weather and the color is beautiful on anyone. You can get a bunch of your own surprise luxury yarn by subscribing to MakerU here. When you sign up you get a box of over $130 of luxury yarn shipped to you for free. Every box of yarn comes in a ton of various fibers and colors. You can use some of it to make the Lily Cowl or who knows what else your yarn may inspire! I still have a couple of ideas myself.

ABBREVIATIONS:

Pattern

Row 1: 3Dc in the 4th chain from the hook, * sk 3 chains, 3dc in the next stitch. Repeat from * across the rest of the row ending with 2 dc in the last stitch. Ch3, turn. (see photo 1)

Photo 1

Row 2: 1 dc into the space after the 2 dc’s (photo 2), then dc all the way down into middle chain of that space (ch 2 of the 3 chains) from our initial row of chains making sure to pull up to the same height as your dc before this one (photo 3), 1 dc into the space before the next 3 dc start (photo 4-5); *skip 3 dc, dc into space (photo 6), dc into middle chain from row below, dc into space before next set of 3 dc’s*, repeat from * across rest of row ending with 2 dc in the space between the last 2 dc’s from the previous rows. Ch3, turn.

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Photo 6

Row 3: 1 dc into the space after the 2 dc’s, then dc into the middle dc (of the 3 dc below the space) from the previous row making sure to pull up to the same height as the previous dc , 1 dc into the space before the next 3 dc start; *skip 3 dc, dc into space , then dc into the middle dc from the previous row making sure to pull up to the same height as the previous dc , 1 dc into the space before the next 3 dc start*, repeat from * across rest of row ending with 2 dc in the space between the last 2 dc’s from the previous rows. Ch3, turn.

Baby Bumps Blanket Crochet Pattern This beautiful little baby blanket is the perfect gift for a baby shower or a baby’s first Christmas. Whatever you make this for, a baby will love the fun texture of the baby bumps crochet blanket. It’s perfect for little hands. It gets most of this texture from a […] Read more...

Baby Bumps Blanket Crochet Pattern

This beautiful little baby blanket is the perfect gift for a baby shower or a baby’s first Christmas. Whatever you make this for, a baby will love the fun texture of the baby bumps crochet blanket. It’s perfect for little hands.It gets most of this texture from a series of double crochets but the color really sets the stitchwork off. The baby blanket is working in a series of 5 colors ranging from pink to blue to creams and greys. All the shades are a 100% wool yarn called Cascade 128 Superwash. It’s machine washable and crochets up quickly. It’s also incredibly soft which is perfect for sensitive baby skin. I think this would make a thoughtful gift for a new mother. Or bring it with you to the hospital the day the new baby arrives! I still remember my first baby blanket. They’re special keepsakes and this would be such a treasure to gift to someone in your life too. You can pick up a crochet kit with all 5 shades of yarn and a digital pdf pattern here. It has everything you need to stitch this up in time for the holidays.

ABBREVIATIONS:

Pattern

With color A chain 82ROW 1: Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each remaining chain until you reach the end of the row. Ch2, turn.

ROW 2: 3dc into the stitch at the base of the chain, *sk the next 3sc, (sc, 3dc) in the next sc; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, sk 3 sc, sc in the last sc; ch2, turn.

ROW 3: 3dc into the stitch at the base of the chain, *sk the next 3dc, (sc, 3dc) in the next sc; repeat from * to the last stitch of the row, sc in the 2nd ch of turning chain-2; ch2, turn.

REPEAT Row 3 for rest of pattern

Color Changes:

Row 1 – 5: Color A

Row 6 – 7: Color B

Row 8 – 9: Color C

Row 10 – 11: Color D

Row 12 – 13: Color E

Row 14 – 17: Color A

Repeat color change pattern above 3 more times for a total or 53 rows.

Finishing:

Add the desired amount of fringe to both ends of the blanket.

This Baby Bumps blanket is so squishy and soft. The thick texture and fun colors make it perfect for a newborn. And it even has fun little tassels attached which they’ll love to play with and hold onto.

Simple Shells Light Wrap Crochet Pattern Hi all. I wanted to share a recent creation I made. Sometimes you find the pattern and get a yarn to match. But this time around it was the yarn that inspired my Simple Shells Light Wrap. Let me fill you in on where I acquired this magical yarn. […] Read more...

Simple Shells Light Wrap Crochet Pattern

Hi all. I wanted to share a recent creation I made.

Sometimes you find the pattern and get a yarn to match. But this time around it was the yarn that inspired my Simple Shells Light Wrap. Let me fill you in on where I acquired this magical yarn. MakerU is currently giving out free yarn boxes (over $100 worth!) with every new MakerU Unlimited subscription. The subscription grants you access to over 30 designer classes as well as an additional 70+ patterns.

Every box has a variety of yarns of various fiber contents and I was lucky enough to receive one. I even did a little unboxing video to share with everyone what types of yarns came in my box. I want to talk more about my creation. But before I do, go ahead and check out all the goodies I received.

So, if you haven’t guessed, I decided to use the Ava yarn from Classic Elite Yarns. It’s a beautiful metallic silver yarn; a blend of viscose, wool and polyester. Right off the bat, I had a vision for this particular yarn.

And that’s how the Simple Shells Light Wrap came into being. This wrap is really delicate and simple to make. It uses the shell stitch which, paired with the subtle metallic yarn, adds a beautiful textural wave to the wrap. It’s a lightweight wrap to take on vacations with you or for mild weather. It can also be worn in a variety of ways, so it would be a beautiful holiday gift. Throw it over your shoulders for an elegant drape or wrap it into a chunky scarf for a cold walk outdoors. I had been wanting to make a shawl for quite a while but I was having trouble finding inspiration. With the yarn box, it gave me access to yarn I never would have seen before. And good quality yarn too. And after this shawl, I still have tons of yarns left over to add to my stash. You can easily get your very own yarn box too. Subscribe to MakerU here and they’ll go ahead and ship out your box. I received soy silks and wools, and an array of other interesting fibers. It’s always nice to receive a mystery box full of goodies. And when you’re a crafter like me, no yarn goes unstitched.

Simple Shells Light Wrap Crochet Pattern

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

MATERIALS:

Hook: U.S. J10/6.0mm

Yarn: DK or Light Worsted Weight Yarn – 800 yds total

Tools: Scissors, tapestry needle

ABBREVIATIONS:

st = stitch

sk = skip

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

SPECIAL STITCHES: This pattern uses a shell stitch: 3dc, ch1, 3dc into the same space.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: This pattern is worked as a 2-row repeat.

FINISHED SIZE: 18” wide x 58” long

PATTERN:

Chain 72 + 4 (76 total)

ROW 1: Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, sc into each stitch until you reach the end

of the row. Ch3 (counts as first dc of the following row), turn.

ROW 2: Dc into the next 2 stitches, sk 2 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next stitch, sk 2 stitches, *dc in 3 stitches, sk 2 stitches; repeat from * across; end last rep with dc in last 3 stitches, ch3, turn.

ROW 3: DC in the next 2 dc; *shell ( 3dc, ch1, 3dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the next 3 dc; rep from * across, ch 3 turn

ROW 4: Dc into the next 2 dc; *ch1, sk first 3 dc of the shell, in ch1 space of shell work (dc, ch2, dc), sk next 3dc; rep from * across; ch3, turn.

ROW 5: DC in the next 2 dc; *shell ( 3dc, ch1, 3dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the next 3 dc; rep from * across, ch 3 turn.

REPEAT Rows 4 – 5 for the rest of the pattern until you reach the desired length ending on a row 4.

LAST ROW: DC in the next 2 dc; *small shell ( 3dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the next 3dc; rep from * across, ch 3 turn.

Snowflake Present Sack Crochet Pattern The holidays are almost here and if you’re like me, you always go the extra mile when it comes to crochet for those you love. The Snowflake Present Sack is a creative and fun project for the holidays. This Santa sack is perfect to take with you to a relatives […] Read more...

Snowflake Present Sack Crochet Pattern

The holidays are almost here and if you’re like me, you always go the extra mile when it comes to crochet for those you love. The Snowflake Present Sack is a creative and fun project for the holidays.

This Santa sack is perfect to take with you to a relatives house this season. Just pile in all your thoughtful gifts and go. It’s a great way to have everything in one place so you don’t leave any presents behind.

Or make one as a personalized gift bag. It’s like a second present for the one you love and it’s reusable. Each Christmas sack is crocheted using the half double crochet stitch with the decorative tapestry stitch to achieve the snowflake design. It has a chain stitch cord with mini pom poms to tie the sacks closed too. The best part is how soft these bags are. They’re made out of Plymouth Encore Worsted yarn. It’s a 3 ply acrylic wool blend. So it’s strong enough to hold your presents and soft to the touch. I made mine using the special crochet kit from Makerdrop. Each kit has 4 skeins of teal topaz yarn and 2 skeins of white yarn. And the kit comes with a digital pdf pattern to walk you through how to crochet this bag. If you want to make the holidays really special this year, pick up a kithere and make this unique present sack today.

Waistcoat stitch (ws): Work a sc, but insert hook through the V formed by the legs of the st below instead of through the top two loops.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: The snowflake motif portion of the pattern is worked in a waistcoat stitch, but can also be worked in a regular single crochet. This motif is worked in 20 st repeats, for 5 repeats of the snowflake motif. The chart is read from right to left for each round.

Finish each waistcoat st in the color for the next st. To change from white to teal: with white on hook, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, drop white, yarn over with teal, pull teal through both loops on hook.

FINISHED SIZE: 26” long, 15” wide

Gauge: 10 sts = 3 inches

PATTERN:

Foundation Rnd: Ch 46 with teal topaz, make 3 hdc in the first ch. Hdc into each ch, across to last ch, 3 hdc in the last ch. Working down the opposite side of the ch, hdc into each ch, sl st to join in first st. 96 hdc

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st. 1 hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st. Hdc in each of next 45 sts. 2 hdc in the next, 1 hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st. Hdc in each remaining st around, sl st to join in first st. 100 hdc

Rnds 2-24: Ch 1, hdc in each st around.

Rnd 25: With white, ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnds 26-32: Ch 1, ws in each st around.

For Rnds 33-48, ch 1 and work in waistcoat st around following either written directions or chart for color changes.

Rnd 33 (First rnd of chart): With white, ch 1, waistcoat st in the 1st st and each of the next 4 sts. *with teal make 1 ws, with white make 8 ws, with teal make 1 ws**, with white make 10 ws ; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, with white make 5 ws.

Rnd 34: Ch 1, *make 5 ws in white, make 2 ws in teal, make 6 ws in white, make 2 ws in teal, make 5 ws in white, repeat from * around.

Rnd 35: Ch 1, *make 5 ws in white, make 3 ws in teal, make 4 ws in white, make 3 ws in teal, make 5 ws in white, repeat from * around.

Rnd 36: Ch 1, *make 2 ws in white, make 7 ws in teal, make 2 ws in white, make 7 ws in teal, make 2 ws in white, repeat from * around.

Rnd 37: Ch 1, *make 3 ws in white, make 6 ws in teal, make 2 ws in white, make 6 ws in teal, make 3 ws in white, repeat from * around.

Rnds 38 & 39: Ch 1, *make 4 ws in white, make 5 ws in teal, make 2 ws in white, make 5 ws in teal, make 4 ws in white, repeat from * around

Rows 56-75: With teal, ch 1, hdc in the 1st st and each st around. Fasten off after last row and weave in all ends.

Finishing Touches:

Ch 175, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and each st across. Fasten off. Thread both tails (on the same side of work) through a tapestry needle, and thread through the top of the bag, about 5 rows from the top. Weave in ends.

Pom Poms (make 2)

Wrap the white yarn around 2 fingers about 150 times, then take another length of yarn and tie it around the center of yarn, between the fingers. Slide yarn off of fingers and tighten the knot around the center of the pom pom. Tie very tightly, double knotting the yarn. Cut the wrapped ends free, and trim and fluff as needed to get the desired shape. Use the long tails to attach one pom to each end of the tie chain, then thread the tails back into the pom pom and trim to blend.

These Santa Sacks are the perfect touch to any holiday. They’re soft and durable and can hold all of your thoughtful gifts for others. Or stitch one up and fill it with stocking stuffers. Whatever you do, this little sack will be a blast to make and bring joy to those you love.

Halloween Cat Beanie Crochet Pattern It’s spooky season and there are so many ways to have fun. If you’re looking for a creative and simple project for your child, check out the Halloween Cat Beanie! This beanie is so cute. It’s got two little cat ears stitched into the top of the beanie. The bottom […] Read more...

Halloween Cat Beanie Crochet Pattern

It’s spooky season and there are so many ways to have fun. If you’re looking for a creative and simple project for your child, check out the Halloween Cat Beanie!

This beanie is so cute. It’s got two little cat ears stitched into the top of the beanie. The bottom of the beanie is trimmed in a decorative ribbed stitch while the rest is worked in a simple single crochet.

This is an easy and fast project that’s lots of fun to make and even more fun to wear. Plus the yarn is super soft because it’s a silk wool blend! The Berroco Ginkgo is warm enough for those October nights but soft enough for sensitive skin.

It’s so easy to get your hands on this yarn with the crochet kit I put together. It comes with 2 skeins of the black silk/wool yarn and a copy of the digital pattern. Pick one up and start the spooky season off right!

Fold the hat in half, so that the ribbed yosl portion is lined up. Whip st up the side, and across the top. Weave in ends, and turn hat right side out. Take an 18” length of yarn, and weave in diagonally, starting 3” down from the top corner, working to 3” in from top corner, forming a cat ear effect. Pull to desired tension, and securely weave in ends. Repeat on the other corner.

This hat is so fun and the perfect project to get you in the Halloween spirit! Your child will have the best time wearing their Cat Beanie and you’ll know they are warm thanks to the wool yarn it’s made out of. Grab a kit and start making this creative hat for your little one.